<p>These are both very wealthy schools. Still, the fact that Williams is even wealthier, with twice the endowment per student, is more impressive than the fact that it had 1 more student at Yale law school last year, or 4 more the year before that. The law school enrollments are rather meaningless without knowing the number of applicants. The endowment numbers stand more easily on their own merits.</p>
<p>The average full time faculty salary at Williams is about $104K. At Middlebury, it’s about $87K. Williams has more FT faculty (278 v. 260) for fewer students. (source: stateuniversity.com) Williams’ wealth makes its tutorial system possible. This is one distinctive feature of the school that, in my opinion, really does set it apart from other LACs. </p>
<p>Williams also awards more financial aid (~ $42M/yr v. $39M/yr total last year) to a smaller student body. Williams awarded need-based scholarship or grant aid to 288 students last year, Middlebury to 249. The average Williams package was ~$42K; the average Middlebury package was ~$36K. Average aid to internationals, very high at both schools, is a little higher at Williams: $48K v. $45K. (source: 2010-11 Common Data Set files). The average Williams debt at graduation was ~$8K. At Middlebury, it was $21K. Pre-aid total costs are nearly identical at the two. (source: Kiplingers).</p>
<p>All these numbers become more or less meaningful only in the context of your personal situation. If you’re a full-pay student who doesn’t need loans, the aid numbers may not matter to you. You may happen to find a class with 11 students at Middlebury more stimulating than a class with 5 students at Williams. You may not like the idea of 2-student tutorials. Middlebury’s strengths in languages or environmental science may be more appealing to you than Williams’ strength in art history or math. Williams deserves a slightly higher rank … but it’s not a no-brainer choice for all students.</p>